Tuesday, 24 January 2012

February 2012: Threshold preview

LIVERPOOL ACOUSTIC AFTERNOON
- THRESHOLD PREVIEW
SATURDAY 11TH FEBRUARY 2012

Saturday 11th February 2012 is the date of the Liverpool Acoustic Afternoon @ Threshold.

Hosted by Liverpool Acoustic's Graham Holland, and local musician Rob Rivieres, this event is taking place at the newly relaunched 
Elevator Bar and Cafe on Parliament Street (next to Giant bikes) and runs from 2pm to 7pm.

Entry is by
Threshold Festival tickets available for the day or weekend from tiny.cc/threshold12tickets

This preview features information about the performers, including links to their websites, plus the
Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight show featuring one track from each of them.

Below is the current lineup and running order, although with a festival on the scale of Threshold this could change at any minute (fingers crossed it won't). Any changes will be updated on this post and on the facebook
event page.

  • 2.00pm - Dean Elliott [Worcester]
  • 2.30pm - Rob Rivieres [Liverpool]
  • 3.00pm - Léon Pearce [Jersey]
  • 3.30pm - Oxtoby Music [Australia]
  • 4.00pm - The Big I Am [Liverpool]
  • 4.30pm - Mary McCombs [Liverpool]
  • 5.00pm - Robert Mulder [Canada]
  • 5.30pm - Alan O’Hare [Liverpool]
  • 6.00pm - James Munro [Stockport]
  • 6.30pm - Hedda Aronssen [Norway]
Tickets for all other Liverpool Acoustic shows are available from
wegottickets.com/liverpoolacoustic - including Liverpool Acoustic eXtra on 8th March featuring Bird, The Sea Kings [London], and Thom Morecroft.


Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #63

  1. Dean Elliott - The Actress
  2. Rob Rivieres - No Romances
  3. Léon Pearce - Till The End
  4. Oxtoby Music - How Am I Supposed To Believe (When All That You Do Is Deceive)?
  5. The Big I Am - Dancing
  6. Mary McCombs - Gaia
  7. Robert Mulder - Work and Play
  8. Alan O’Hare - Only Child [Demo]
  9. James Munro - Reply If You Like
  10. Hedda Aronssen - I Will Follow You

Listen online here

(not available for email subscribers)
or download the show  for free
(right-click to download)

Dean Elliott
Dean Elliott
www.deanelliottmusic.com
Dean Elliott is an Acoustic, Folk Singer and Songwriter from the West Midlands.

Calling influence from musicians such as Nick Drake, Bob Dylan and Paul Simon, Dean began writing in his teens performing his unique blend of heartfelt acoustic folk to the pubs and clubs of his hometown of Worcester.

After fine-tuning his songwriting and performing craft at Sir Paul McCartney's 'Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts' (LIPA) in 2003, Dean shot to fame after being asked to perform as Buddy Holly in London's West End as the lead role in the Olivier nominated hit musical 'BUDDY - The Buddy Holly Story'.

In that time he gained a rather large fanbase and exposure whilst working tirelessly on creating a repertoire of songs with which resulted in Dean's first studio album - 'Tales from Whittington Tump'. Joining Dean on the record included Accordian, Piano, Cello, Double Bass and Banjo players from across the country and also full strings. The release of the album in December 2009 was recieved with acclaim from many reviewers including the N.M.E. One reviewer quoted that Dean's lyrics "spoke directly to the heart".

Since then and since Buddy, Dean has toured around the UK performing his music in venues such as the O2 Academy - London, Liverpool's 'Cavern Club' and The Bedford, London. He has also performed in countries as far reaching as the USA, Canada, Latin America and India whilst also appearing on such shows as TV's 'Richard and Judy', Radio 2's 'Jonathan Ross show' and BBC London Tonight.

Dean has just completed a new 3 track E.P in November 2011 titled 'When the dust settles down'. 

Rob Rivieres
Rob Rivieres
robrivieres.com
“I always find it difficult when people ask me to describe my music. I’ve never liked the idea of putting things in a box, putting a label on something. I tend to prefer the question ‘Why do you write?’ I always try to be honest with my music and I strive to create songs that will inspire people. Music is my way of expressing something meaningful, an experience, an idea, something honest that I want to share, something that will make people really think and feel. That instant, when a song brings people together in spite of their differences to share something beautiful; it’s in that instant that music unifies us. It’s that intimacy, that vulnerability, that’s why I write songs.”

Rob Rivieres is a twenty-three year old acoustic singer-songwriter from the north west of England.  Crafting conscious lyrics with soft vocals and simple melodies Rob creates a minimalist yet deeply soulful sound.

His debut EP, Before the Dawn, was released online in May 2011 and offered as a ‘name-your-price’ download. As well as building and managing his own website he regularly posts videos on Youtube and strives to maintain a direct relationship with his fans using several social networking sites.

Drawing on the ‘the delicate moments, dramas, dilemmas and dreams we all find ourselves drifting in and out of’, Rob writes conscious tales to inspire and intrigue. He is currently writing material for a new EP whilst gigging in and around Liverpool.


Léon Pearce
Léon Pearce
leonpearcemusic.co.uk
Influenced by the great songwriters, Paul Simon, Nick Drake and The Beach Boys, Léon is constantly writing new music and improving his material.
The Jersey-born musician frequently draws on personal experience when it comes to crafting songs about love, friendship and heartache, and the raw intensity of emotion that we all feel in the Spring of our lives. With a single set for release on Valentine’s Day, and plenty of gigs coming up, this emerging artist is one to watch. 

Oxtoby Music
Oxtoby Music
OxtobyMusic.com

Science by day. Music by night. Neil Oxtoby is a an Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist, as well as being a qualified physicist. Oxtoby usually performs as a solo artist, but also invites friends to join him on stage so you never know what to expect from any given show. Currently in the process of recording his first full-length album at Parr Street Studios, Oxtoby will be performing new original songs and a cover song at this year's Threshold Festival after enjoying last year's festival from the audience. You can help to write Oxtoby's Threshold setlist by requesting songs via his Facebook page facebook.com/OxtobyMusic


The Big I Am
The Big I Am
facebook.com/thebigiam
Liverpool duo The Big I Am are Colin Heaney and Peter McPartland..  These fine musicians have created a glorious blend of acoustic folk-pop.  At its core the tenor ukulele and cuatro. They have become favorites of Tom Robinson BBC 6 Music who describes them as being "…subtle, melodic and mysterious…sounds like Peter Gabriel and Steve Reich having an acoustic jam."  The BIA will feature on an album curated by Tom Robinson and will release another two albums this year. Collecting Skies can be bought from Rash Records.


Mary McCombs
Mary McCombs
myspace.com/marymccombs
reverbnation.com/main/music_artists#!/marymccombs
Mary McCombs formed an Indie band in the early 1990s, writing and performing their own material which was influenced mainly by Cocteau Twins and The Sundays. McCombs was the lead vocalist of the band which performed at many Liverpool venues and several in London and various University campuses nationally.
She is a regular performer with the ‘Sense of Sound’ singers, and performs as a solo artist on the local acoustic/folk circuit which includes the 2012 Threshold Festival where I also played in 2011.
Mary is currently hosting a folk night at The Cornmarket in Liverpool city centre and will be performing at the Wirral ‘Folk On The Coast’ Festival in June 2012. She is also a member of Dave Jackson and the Cathedral Mountaineers as a backing vocalist; who will also be appearing at Threshold 2012. She has recorded a CD called ‘Selling Flowers’; 10 self-penned songs available at ‘News from Nowhere’ in Bold Street. There’s another CD coming soon.


Robert Mulder
Robert Mulder
Robert Mulder is a 20 year old Singer/Songwriter from Canada, currently studying songwriting at LIPA.

He has been performing as a solo artist for over 5 years and recently assembled an eclectic international ensemble from Singapore, South Africa, Jersey, and Norway to add a special touch to his catchy indie/folk tunes. They are currently working on an EP entitled "Across the Plastic Pond" scheduled for release in September 2012. His music is simple, yet powerful; a clear and unique voice with poetic lyrics that reflect a resounding wisdom of everyday life.


Alan O'Hare
Alan O’Hare
twitter.com/thetrestles
Alan O'Hare is a singer-songwriter, and lead singer of The Trestles. Only Child is a demo recording for a future project

James Munro
James Munro
myspace.com/jamesmunromusic
James Munro is a Stockport based Singer/Songwriter whose influences include artists such as Bob Dylan, David Gray and Morrissey. He began to share his songs when moving to Liverpool - the city where his family are from – in 2006 and since then has immersed himself in both the Liverpool and Manchester music scenes. Along the way, James has supported Ocean Colour Scene on their 2011 UK acoustic tour and later that year earned himself a mention in the NME magazine when playing as part of the NME Sunday Sessions with the Morrissey approved, The Heartbreaks. 2009 saw him record a demo CD entitled The Impression On Me which was followed by the 2011 home recordings, The One Take Shake. Now back in Stockport, Munro performs regularly in Manchester and Liverpool and looks to record and release his first EP very soon. Stay tuned for news on recordings and forthcoming gigs.


Hedda Aronssen
Hedda Aronssen
heddaaronssen.com
Hedda Aronssen writes pop-music with memorable melodies, honest lyrics and dynamical arrangements. The Norwegian artist has together with her 4 piece band made their unique sound, with a a variation of influences. After 2 years of gigging in Norway and the UK, she is now in the progress of recording her first EP, Unread Letters, to be released in June 2012.



Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #63 - February 2012 (Threshold)
If you get the chance, please support your local artists by emailing them, joining their mailing lists, leaving them comments, going to their gigs, and buying their music direct from them where possible. The Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight is produced and presented by Graham Holland on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic website. It is also available on the Internet courtesy of Art In Liverpool FM (Defnet Media), and is a proud member of the Association of Music Podcasting. The theme music is King of the Faeries by Andrew Ellis from his CD Midnight On The Water.









Tuesday, 17 January 2012

January 2012: Live preview

LIVERPOOL ACOUSTIC LIVE PREVIEW
FRIDAY 27TH JANUARY 2012

Friday 27th January is the first Liverpool Acoustic Live of 2012 at the View Two Gallery on Mathew Street. Kicking off a new year of fantastic local, national and international acts performing at one of Liverpool's best acoustic venues we've got:-
  • The Grande
  • Geoghegan Jackson
  • Simon Cousins
  • Cherry Colby
Tickets are £5 in advance or £6 on the door.
Tickets for all Liverpool Acoustic shows are available from

Doors open at 8.00pm with music starting at 8.30pm sharp. The night finishes at 11.15pm

Join the facebook event here


Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #62

  1. The Grande - Rose Tinted Picture
  2. Geoghegan Jackson - Threads
  3. Simon Cousins - Love's Counterfeit
  4. Cherry Colby - Give You My All
  5. The Grande (Ben Sherwen solo acoustic) - Smile

Listen online here

(not available for email subscribers)
or download the show  for free
(right-click to download)


The Grande

Firmly immersed in Americana & Alt. Country, The Grande have made a real name for themselves on the local music scene and look set to take their brand of heartfelt, bittersweet songwriting to a whole new level after the release of the much anticipated twelve track LP Bleaker St. in November 2011, launched at a sold out show at the famous Eric’s club in their hometown. [Read the Liverpool Acoustic review here]

The Grande are Ben Sherwen (Guitar & Vocals), Melissa Parker (Vocals), Joel Lynch (Guitar), Scott Poley (Pedal Steel, Guitars), Paul Davenport (Bass) & Phil Stevens (Drums).

Taking you on a journey through love lost and battles won, The Grande have become renowned for their memorable shows, drawing you into a whirlwind of emotion from the rousing crowd favourite Don’t Melt Me Down through to the anthemic harmony-laden Ghosts whilst taking in wistful heartbreakers 'Stay, Tonight', and Life’s On Hold and every sentiment in-between along the way.

The Grande wear their heart on their sleeve from the first note to the last, drawing on timeless influences such as The Band, Neil Young & Ryan Adams along the way but always staying true to The Grande’s roots.



Geoghegan Jackson
Geoghegan Jackson are Susan Geoghegan (guitar) and Helen Jackson (vocals), an acoustic pop/folk duo who hail from Liverpool. They originated from indie/pop band BettyNoire, who played in Liverpool, Manchester and London and later, as a duo, Beamish, supported Cud’s 2008 farewell tour. 

They have currently been collaborating since February 2011, with influences including John Martyn, Nick Cave and Patti Smith. Geoghegan Jackson play their original pop folk with edge and have been compared as a “Mellow Zep.” They are currently gigging and releasing new material on a five track EP, “Parlour in the Sun”, recorded at Liverpool’s Parr Street Studio. Released by Lapwing Records, the EP features, in addition to the title track,
  “Threads”, “Cool Morning”, “Fossil Friend” and “Catch a Train”. Online release date is 23rd january by Lapwing Records.


Simon Cousins
Simon Cousins is a singer songwriter who was as a member of Liverpool indie country rock band The Onset and folk rockers Ophiuchus. His solo work is in an acoustic, folk and country genre. Cousins performed at the Glastonbury Festival in both 2010 and 2011. His first solo single, Love’s Counterfeit, was released on 11 November 2011 as a digital download format through iTunes.
sicousins.co.uk


Cherry Colby

Cherry Colby is an acoustic singer/songwriter from Liverpool who has been performing and writing for a number of years and has played across the country at various festivals and venues. Accompanied by the beautiful cello playing from Fiona Shaw, her acoustic music expresses soul, desires and emotions. Cherry's songs 'Give You My All' and 'Liverpool Lights' were featured on BBC Introducing in 2011, and she will be back in the studio early 2012 to record her new EP. 




Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #62 - January 2012 
If you get the chance, please support your local artists by emailing them, joining their mailing lists, leaving them comments, going to their gigs, and buying their music direct from them where possible. The Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight is produced and presented by Graham Holland on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic website. It is also available on the Internet courtesy of Art In Liverpool FM (Defnet Media), and is a proud member of the Association of Music Podcasting. The theme music is King of the Faeries by Andrew Ellis from his CD Midnight On The Water.









Tuesday, 3 January 2012

January 2012: eXtra Spotlight

LIVERPOOL ACOUSTIC SPOTLIGHT
JANUARY 2012 EXTRA


Normally the Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight features the artists due to appear at our live music events. Now that we're no longer organising a second monthly event on a regular basis the extra Spotlight show will instead feature other artists from the local scene in much the same way that the 2011 Christmas Special did. If you're a local acoustic artist and would like to be considered then message us on Facebook or email contact@liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #61

Listen online here

(not available for email subscribers)
or download the show  for free
(right-click to download)

  1. Thom Morecroft - Holly
    thommorecroftmakesmusic.blogspot.com
    Tom will be playing the Liverpool Acoustic eXtra show on Friday 9th March with Bird, and The Sea Kings [London]
  2. Interview - Joseph Dene
  3. Joseph Dene - Secret Lady
    josephdene.com
  4. Interview - Clever Little Tramps
  5. Clever Little Tramps - I Was Sleeping
    facebook.com/cleverlittletramps
  6. Interview - Alan Roy, Stonetown Sessions
    Find it on facebook
  7. Galley Beggar - Sun God 
    galleybeggar.com
    Taken from the album Reformation House, available to buy from their website using PayPal or from iTunes.
  8. Kev Eustace - Carry This Torch
    mp3unsigned.com/Kev_Eustace
  9. Seven Years Behind - Saudade
    facebook.com/sevenyearsbehind






Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #61 - January 2012 eXtra 
If you get the chance, please support your local artists by emailing them, joining their mailing lists, leaving them comments, going to their gigs, and buying their music direct from them where possible. The Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight is produced and presented by Graham Holland on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic website. It is also available on the Internet courtesy of Art In Liverpool FM (Defnet Media), and is a proud member of the Association of Music Podcasting. The theme music is King of the Faeries by Andrew Ellis from his CD Midnight On The Water.